This study explored the use of satellite data to monitor Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) and Water Vapor (H2O) in Iraq. The retrieved monthly data obtained from Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), included on the EOS Aqua satellite, from January 2003 to December 2016 are employed. In order to better assess these two parameters distribution, the spatiotemporal and long term trends analysis are provided for five stations dispersed across Iraq; Mosul, Sulaimaniyah, Rutba, Baghdad and Basra. The OLR and H2O monthly distribution shows important spatiotemporal variations values over study area, with a maximum in summer and minimum in winter. The higher OLR values of monthly average for study period occurred (370, 364) w/m2 in July and August at Rutba, and the lowest values of monthly average occurred were (232 w/m2) in January over Mosul and Sulaimaniyah. The higher H2O values (6.34 g/kg) observed in July and August over Baghdad and the lowest values of monthly average was (3.30 g/kg) in January and December over Mosul and Rutba. The long term trends analysis reveals decreasing trend in surface-OLR (0.0022 to 0.0026) w/m2 per year. The H2O vapor trend analyses have positive trend ranged from (0.005 to 0.015) g/kg per year. The satellite observation efficiently shows the spatial and temporal variations of OLR and H2O. This study sheds new light on the processes and analysis of both parameters emission over Iraq.
